The ideal way to check the quality of a sofa is to actually see the insides to scrutinize the engineering and construction aspects of it but unless you are able to find a furniture store that allows you to rip off the covers and it’s outer layers, you are pretty much limited to the touch and feel on the outside.

All hope is not lost though as we share the following tips to ensure that the sofa you are going to buy is not going to end up at the nearest recycling plant six months down the road.

The Frame

This is the most important component of the sofa as the type of wood used for the construction of the frame determines the lifetime of the sofa.

A good quality sofa uses kiln-dried hardwood, held together by industrial glue and nails, which lends to it’s sturdiness and durability, and can typically last more than 15 years! An example of hardwood are Birch, Maple, Oak, Ash, and Teak. Kiln-drying removes all moisture from the wood before construction as this helps guard against cracking. It also enables the frame to retain its shape and stability for a long time to come.

A lower quality sofa uses furniture-grade plywood several layers thick held together with staples. It’s a substitute for hardwood and costs lesser. This type of frame will typically last you at most two to three years. Some manufacturers will use plywood with a combination of other lower grade wood like Pine, which can last you about five years or less.

How to check:

Check what type of wood was the sofa frame constructed out of. If you’re in Singapore, the quality ones are usually North American Birch, and Oak wood.

Hold the sideframe of the sofa, and move it from side to side. Do the same for the backframe. A sturdy frame should not wobble or twist. If it does wobble, it usually means that the joints are not held firmly which can cause serious safety concerns in the future.

Lift up the sofa and feel the weight. It should feel heavy. How heavy? As a reference, our Sofa (Length at 190cm) requires two man (Avg. height:185cm / Avg. weight: 80kg) to lift it up vertically whilst a sofa at IKEA only required one man. In general, this should not be used a sole determinant of a good quality sofa as engineered wood or plywood can feel heavy as well.

Test the frame strength by lifting one corner or leg of the sofa up to about 15cm. If the other leg is still touching the floor, then it means the frame is weak.

Filling

The type of filling used for the cushions determines how soft and plushy or how firm the seating comfort is.

If you like it soft and plushy, and that ‘sink-in’ feeling, consider going for 100% goose down and feather cushions. A goose down is a layer of fine feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers. Do note however, going for a full feather option is very high maintenance and requires daily attention. It is also considered a premium choice and is pricey.

Down Feather

An alternative combination that still provides you with that soft and plushy feeling but without the high costs and maintenance is the foam and feather mix which is commonly used by many designer furniture companies. The typical materials are high density/resilient polyurethane foam (35-42kg/cbm) wrapped in down feathers, cotton or polyester batting. The foam provides a bouncy feel and ‘push back’ against deformation. This makes the seating more supportive. For this combination, the more down feathers is used to wrapped the foam, the more cushy it feels.

Note: The higher the density of the foam, the firmer, and more lasting it is. Make sure you get the higher density foams as the lower density ones break down pretty quickly. Typical lifeline for the foams are:

25kg/cbm : 1 to 2 years

35kg/cbm : 3 to 4 years

42kg/cbm : 7 to 9 years

How to check:

If you opt for a seating cushion that has the down feather material, make sure that you check the inner cover used to contain the feathers. The cover is called Down Proof Ticking and it prevents the feathers from poking through your upholstery. Check the quality as well by pulling the inner cover. If it tears easily, make a pass.

Ask for the foam density. If you like it soft but would like it to last, ask for 42kg/cbm wrapped with down feathers, cotton or polyester batting. These are reasonably priced and very comfy.

The type of upholstery used is equally important when determining the quality of the sofa. Fabrics like cotton and linen are ideal and holds out in tropical climates with high humidity as they do not trap as much heat. However, these fabrics can snag and wear off quickly without proper maintenance. A better alternative would be to go for polyester. It’s easier to maintain, durable, and lasts longer in temperate climate.

For leather options, if you are in an environment like Singapore with high humidity, forget about getting synthetic leather; these will flake after several months. Go for genuine leather but the costs are exorbitant and is approximately 60 to 80% higher than the cost of a fabric sofa. It is also cruel to animals and damages the environment. Therefore, we prefer to use fabrics most of the time.

How to check:

Check the piping and the seams of the sofa. They should be straight and stitched tight.

If you are buying a sofa for long term use, best to check if the sofa covers – including the side and back frames – are removable so that you can change to different color fabrics to match the yearly interior design themes you have planned. It is cost effective too!

Call us or email: info(at)centrepiece.com.sg to discuss your order. By calling Vince, whatapps ( 90305057 ) you can speak direct to us, we don’t have call centres or customer service departments, you speak directly to the people making your sofa.

Looking for reupholstery to change the look of your home? We will be able to assist you.

Stay Connected

Note: If you are a new customer, and you need the upholster to do home visit, a $40 willl apply. This is to prevent people who are not serious in getting upholstery services from abusing the system. This not only drive the business cost up, it will also be a waste of time and resources. However, this $40 can be reimburse if the job is confirmed upon deposit. For existing customers, fees can be waived.

You can customize virtually anything nowadays, and furniture is no exception. The rising popularity of bespoke or custom-made items extends beyond tailored shirts or iPhone cases; you can now personalize your very own bespoke sofa that caters to your taste, needs, and budget. Enter centrepiece furnishing, an up-and-coming company that offers designer-level sofas that are significantly cheaper than other comparable retailers.

By removing the middlemen that normally hike up the prices of furniture, centrepiece furnishing allows you to work with a wide range of custom options, while still remaining affordable. Intrigued by the concept, we spoke with the company to gain some insight on why exactly customizable furniture is the way to go.

Read on for Reasons You Need a Bespoke Couch.

Your space is unique. Your furniture should be, too.

“Why conform to standard sizes and configurations when your space is a reflection of you?”

It’s time to up your couch game.

“You’ve graduated from the big-box sofa look, and the home assembly model you subscribed to during college no longer does the trick.”

You appreciate compliments.

“Everybody from your aunt to your date will rave about how impressed they are with your ability to furnish your pad with cool (non-generic) pieces.”

It’s just time for a change.

“That once-unique column in your loft lost its hipster appeal when you realized it prevents a standard sofa from fitting in your space.”

You discovered the virtues of a chaise and that two chaises are better than one.

“For years you tuned out your mother whenever she spoke of that perfect chaise lounge she just had to have. You had no idea what or who ‘chaise’ was; now you get it.”

You get to channel your inner designer.

“When you have guests over you’ll be able to make comments like, ‘I just couldn’t find anything I liked, so I designed my own sofa.'”

You’ll get serious style points from your significant other.

“And if you don’t have a S.O., your high-design furniture is certainly a step in the right direction.”

You’re making an investment.

“Your sofa will last for years, as will buyer’s remorse if you purchase a piece you’re not thrilled with.”

You don’t settle.

“Especially when we’re talking about where you’ll be sitting on game day. Keep in mind that this is also where you’ll be sleeping if you piss off your significant other.”

There’s now an option that doesn’t break the bank.

“Interior Define offers high-quality, custom pieces for a fraction of the price of comparable retailers. More money for drinks—everyone wins!”

Christmas is a little two months away and this maybe the best time to contact us for that re-upholstery that you have been thinking about for some time? Well, contact Vince 90305057 or email: info(AT)centrepiece.com.sg or visit: www.centrepiece.com.sg early this christmas.

As we are a small family business that spend a great deal of time with each of our customers and product. We will sometimes become too busy to take in orders coming nearer to christmas. So contact us early.

Color is the most important reason people choose a fabric, so make sure your color choice is appropriate. For instance, it may be best to avoid a very bold color for a smaller room, especially if your sofa is also large.

Avoid delicately colored fabrics around children and pets.

To strike the right mood, consider the color temperature. Since warm and cool colors affect the mood of the room, make sure you’re choosing the right fabric for the right mood. A cold and harsh room may benefit from some warm and cheerful colors.

Avoid trendy colors, unless you happen to really like them. Color trends come and go so be careful. What if you don’t consider eggplant attractive in the first place? Will you be able to live with a color even when its popularity wanes?

Choose wisely and deal directly with us at our workshop, you will get better value for money. Contact Vince at 90305057 or email: sales(AT)centrepiece.com.sg